Distributed policy architecture

Abstract

A mobile device may select between multiple networks in order to offload network traffic from one network to another. Policies under which network selection happens are established by network operators. A hierarchy of policy servers are established where a central policy server with policies established by a network operator can delegate authority for network switching to a local policy server with policies established by the same or a different network operator. The central policy server can establish criteria under which network switching or network selection is delegated to a local server. Policies from the local policy server can include information about local network conditions. A mobile device can use the policies from the central server and local server to select a network.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A device including one or more processors, the one or more processors including circuitry, the circuitry having logic to:
 receive a management object that includes policy parameters; 
 select a network based on the policy parameters; and 
 receive a request to contact a policy server for a policy update, wherein the policy parameters include an update interval parameter to indicate how often the device is to check for policy updates from the policy server, a restriction parameter to indicate at which access points the device is permitted to update the policy and a minimum backhaul threshold downlink or uplink bandwidth, and wherein the logic is further to check for the policy update at the update interval parameter when the device has associated to a network for which the restriction parameter permits the device to check for the policy update. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the policy parameters include a roaming partner list that includes a priority for indicating an order of preference for a roaming partner. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the policy parameters include a service provider exclusion list. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the policy parameters include a minimum backhaul threshold downlink bandwidth. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 4 , wherein the device further includes:
 two or more antennas, and 
 a transceiver configured to be coupled to the two or more antennas. 
 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 5 , wherein the device is to receive the management object over a web interface. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the policy parameters include a minimum backhaul threshold uplink bandwidth. 
     
     
       8. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions for execution by one or more processors to perform operations for operating a device in a wireless network, the operations to configure the device to:
 receive a management object that includes policy parameters; 
 select a network based on the policy parameters; and 
 receive a request to contact a policy server for a policy update, wherein the policy parameters include an update interval parameter to indicate how often the device is to check for policy updates from the policy server, a restriction parameter to indicate at which access points the device is permitted to update the policy and a minimum backhaul threshold downlink or uplink bandwidth, and wherein the logic is further to check for the policy update at the update interval parameter when the device has associated to a network for which the restriction parameter permits the device to check for the policy update. 
 
     
     
       9. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 8 , wherein the policy parameters include a roaming partner list that includes a priority for indicating an order of preference for a roaming partner. 
     
     
       10. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 8 , wherein the policy parameters include a service provider exclusion list. 
     
     
       11. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 8 , wherein the policy parameters include a minimum backhaul threshold downlink bandwidth. 
     
     
       12. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 8 , wherein the policy parameters include a minimum backhaul threshold uplink bandwidth. 
     
     
       13. A method performed by a device for communicating in a wireless communication network, the method comprising:
 receiving a management object that includes policy parameters, selecting a network based on the policy parameters; and 
 receiving a request to contact a policy server for a policy update, wherein the policy parameters include an update interval parameter to indicate how often the device is to check for policy updates from the policy server, a restriction parameter to indicate at which access points the device is permitted to update the policy and a minimum backhaul threshold downlink or uplink bandwidth, and wherein the logic is further to check for the policy update at the update interval parameter when the device has associated to a network for which the restriction parameter permits the device to check for the policy update. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the policy parameters include a roaming partner list that includes a priority for indicating an order of preference for a roaming partner. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the policy parameters include a service provider exclusion list. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the policy parameters include a minimum backhaul threshold downlink bandwidth. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 receiving the management object over a web interface. 
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the policy parameters include a minimum backhaul threshold uplink bandwidth.